The State Express Transport Corporation (SETC), in partnership with Torrent Gas, commissioned a compressed natural gas refuelling station at the Nagapattinam depot as part of efforts to promote green mobility in the State. The station was inaugurated by SETC managing director R Mohan and was attended by Torrent Gas executive directors Prakash Sajnani and KSR Prasad.

The new facility will streamline refuelling for buses, help reduce vehicular emissions and support efforts to improve air quality in the State. The station will also cater to private vehicles, commercial vehicles and public transport services, providing a convenient source of cleaner fuel for multiple user groups.

Under the agreement with the State Express Transport Corporation, public transport buses will gradually shift from diesel to CNG and this transition is expected to improve fuel efficiency, reduce operating costs and cut carbon emissions. In the first phase, around 70 SETC buses will be operated using CNG, with further roll out planned as infrastructure and supply scale up.

Torrent Gas is authorised by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board to supply compressed natural gas and piped natural gas services in Karaikal and in the Nagapattinam district. Compressed natural gas is primarily composed of methane with small amounts of other hydrocarbons and it is stored at high pressure, enabling efficient onboard storage for vehicles.

The initiative forms part of a broader push by SETC and Torrent Gas to expand the use of cleaner fuels and strengthen green energy adoption across Tamil Nadu. The development is intended to support long term operational savings for the transport corporation and contribute to public health improvements through significantly lower emissions.